Wastewater Chief Plant Operator

Job Title: Chief Plant Operator

Employer: The Town of Ocean City, MD

Salary: $74,568.00 - $95,826.00 Annually

Location: Ocean City, MD

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202100459

Department: Public Works - Wastewater Department

Division: WW ADMIN

Opening Date: 09/08/2026

Job Summary

Supervises the operation of the wastewater plant and outlying pumping stations. Acts as Assistant Superintendent as required.

Job Duties

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following, other duties may be assigned:

• Directs, plans and coordinates work assignments of operations personnel.
• Conducts chemical tests and ensures proper chemical solutions.
• Audits plant operator reports.
• Prepares required state and municipal reports, including reporting of sanitary sewer overflows, and any violations of the plant NPDES operating permit.
• Performs required inspection of all machinery according to preventive maintenance program. Does equipment entries, assigns inventory parts and maintenance tasks to designated equipment, and distributes maintenance cards.
• Assists in the preparation of the Operations unit budget in coordination with the Wastewater Superintendent.
• Directs/implements operational strategy for NPDES permit compliance.
• Develops/maintains Operations training program.
• Maintains Coop, Emergency Operations plans, and Standard Operating procedures. Attends COOP/LEPC meetings as the department representative. Has functional knowledge of lockout/tagout procedures, relevant occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Audits time sheets and cards.
• Maintains necessary computer skills and familiarity with software used by the Town of Ocean City.

Supervisory responsibilities:

• Directly supervises three Process Foremen and the Pump Station Operator.
• Indirectly supervises 24 other full-time employees.
• Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Operations unit.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with or supplemented by courses in chemistry and mechanics.
• Minimum ten (10) years related field experience and/or training in a supervisory capacity; or equivalent combination of education, (college level courses in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Math) and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Possession of a permanent Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's License.
• Must obtain a Wastewater Superintendent's license issued by the State of Maryland within one year of becoming Chief Plant Operator.
• Valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Language skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Reasoning ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Other skills and abilities: Thorough knowledge of waste water treatment to include chlorination, PH control, aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, oxygen activated sludge processes, digestion and maintenance practices. Ability to operate any machinery and equipment utilized in operation of wastewater treatment processing. Supervision of plant operations and personnel.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.